On the morning of July 29, 2017, an individual who was a suspect in a burglary and fleeing police forced his way into our White Pine Senior Living of Mendota Heights community using a handgun. Brandishing his weapon on a caregiver, he then led her into a nearby laundry room where he left her. Not long after, this caregiver along with another caregiver bravely contacted police of the incident which prompted them to evacuate staff, residents and families to safety along with searching the building for the intruder. Evacuated residents, staff and families were transported to the Mendota Heights Fire Station where firefighters, EMTs and White Pine Senior Living staff together watched over and cared for residents. Later that afternoon, after searching the building multiple times the police determined it was safe for residents and staff to return.

“First and foremost, we would like to thank the brave staff at White Pine Senior Living of Mendota Heights for selflessly protecting and caring for our residents. You define what it means to serve people better and we honor you for that,” stated Gigi Chollett, CEO at White Pine Senior Living. “We would also like to express our deepest gratitude to the police department, fire department, City of Mendota Heights Mayor and staff, Salvation Army, Health East and Fairview EMTs, Merwin Pharmacy, Metro Transit and Subway at Mendota Plaza. A special thank you to Susan Bollinger-Brown with Free Bird Counseling & Consultation for voluntarily supporting us with your services all day,” said Rufino Lorenzo, Director of Marketing and Sales at White Pine Senior Living.

ABOUT WHITE PINE SENIOR LIVING

White Pine Senior Living and sister companies; Comforts of Home and Gracewood Senior Living operate 27 assisted living and memory care communities in Minnesota and Wisconsin.